Houston Judge Arrested

I don't see any grounds, edgar, but maybe that's not the point. Maybe they're just trying to intimidate her/wear her down to the point where she gives up. Your sheriffs are elected, right? It would be interesting to know how outrageous the department's behaviour needs to become or how many large cash settlements have to be paid with Joe Citizen's taxes before there is a change in leadership.

Edgar
Looks like police payback against someone who didn't like their behavior.

Stupid illegal action by the officers.

BBB

I miss Texas...

Re: Houston Judge Arrested


That's pretty much impossible to tell from the story. Could have been something like "Interfering with a police investigation". Cops can trump up a lot of very vague charges when it suits their needs.

The sherriff has his share of problems -


Harris sheriff apologizes to Muslims for offensive e-mail
He meets with Islamic Society members, vows to discipline deputy


By MATT STILES and ROSANNA RUIZ
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Reacting to the latest controversy about his office in recent months, Sheriff Tommy Thomas on Monday apologized in person to a local Muslim group for insensitive e-mails sent by members of his staff.

Monday's appearance before the Islamic Society of Greater Houston was Thomas' second apology in recent days over staff e-mails that surfaced in media reports last week, including one message from a top commander that mocks Islam's core tenets.

"I think we've opened some lines of communication that certainly may not have existed before," Thomas said of the meeting. "We will have a continuing dialogue."

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, the sheriff also responded to concerns about e-mails sent by people in his office that could be offensive to Chinese, Hispanics and others.

Also Monday, Thomas said he would discipline his jail commander, Chief Deputy Mike Smith, who forwarded one e-mail that used the name Muhammad, the prophet and founder of Islam, to make a joke about eating pork.

"The e-mails were against the religion, and they made mockery of that, and Muslim people were offended," said Tasleem Siddiqui, of the Pakistani American Association of Greater Houston. "I think it was in his benefit that he took this step and moved forward; otherwise, it could be more detrimental."

Smith, a 32-year veteran, said Monday that he regretted forwarding an e-mail he received with religiously insensitive cartoons.

He said the sheriff told him he would be docked a week's pay: about $2,800.

"It was stupid for me to forward that. It was just cartoons regarding Muslim terrorists," Smith said. "I certainly have a great deal of respect for the Muslim community. They are a very law-abiding community. I regret that that's being viewed as anti-Muslim because it's anti-terrorist."

Another e-mail discussed "the number of foreigners that own gas stations" in a discussion about possible terror attacks and fires.

"This office should be our first line of defense against future terrorist attacks. Instead it is a warehouse for poorly thought-out scenarios and offensive commentary," said Thomas' opponent in this fall's election, City Councilman Adrian Garcia, a former Houston police officer.

The e-mails were revealed after KTRK (Channel 13) sued to stop their deletion, which Thomas said was necessary because his office lacked enough digital storage space. Of about 750,000 e-mails a state district court has subjected to review, the station so far has reported only a handful with questionable content.

The station reported last week on several e-mails that could be considered racist, insensitive or off-color.

One depicts a "Fifth Ward Barbie," and others suggested a "Greenspoint Barbie," who was on parole and carried a gun. Another e-mail jokes about Chinese people using foul language. One deputy e-mailed a picture of an alligator, suggesting it be placed in the Rio Grande to stop illegal immigration. The e-mails also joked about stay-at-home moms.

Reaction from community leaders was strong:

"It's a travesty," said City Councilman Jarvis Johnson, who grew up in the Fifth Ward and now represents it. "They're categorizing an entire neighborhood. It enrages me and is very upsetting to me and my family. We're supposed to have trust in the law."

Rogene Gee Calvert, a board member with the Houston chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, said, "It shows an insensitivity and a disrespect for people who are different, and that usually follows with mistreatment."

Ali Zakaria, a lawyer and Pakistani community leader, said the e-mails damaged trust in law enforcement.

"These officers mock our culture, customs and faith, and then ask that we place our safety in their hands," he said. "The only way to restore the public's trust is to ensure that such individuals do not hold any position in a law enforcement agency," he said.

While the sheriff reached out to the Muslim group, he said he had no plans to speak to others about the e-mails.

The e-mails are the latest in a string of controversies that Thomas has confronted, including a civil rights suit alleging unlawful surveillance of two brothers who had sued the county over their arrest by deputies.

Other reports have raised questions about his relationship with a county contractor and his decision to delete 750,000 e-mails around the time former District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal faced scrutiny over his own e-mails.

Thomas, facing re-election, has acknowledged mistakes, but also said media reports have been unfair or incomplete, and he has dismissed other criticisms as "pure politics."

From the Houston Chronicle:

Martin said a resident who had been asked to keep an eye on a neighbor's house while the neighbor was away reported that people were in the house.

Deputies came to the house and detained the group. Walker, who lives a short distance away, learned of the situation and drove to the house.

Martin said that Walker saw her two sons in the backseat of a patrol car, opened a door to talk with them and was warned by a deputy to step away from the car. The deputy told Walker that she was at the scene of an active investigation and could talk with her sons later, Martin said.

Walker left and returned several times, Martin said, before a deputy approached her car and told her to leave. He also told her that she was not wearing her safety belts, Martin said, but she backed out of the driveway and went through a stop sign at high speed while still in reverse.

After Walker shifted into drive and sped away, Sgt. J. Cook pursued with his emergency lights engaged, Martin said. He said Walker refused to stop and drove home at 50 to 60 mph.

When confronted in her driveway, Walker resisted before being arrested, Martin said.

He added that her sons and the others who were found in the house were charged with trespassing and possession of marijuana.

Walker said that, although no one in the group lives at that address, her sons are friends of the people who live there and frequently visit them.